Refrigerating apparatus



Oct 4, 1932 D. E. RUTISHAUSER REFRGERATING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet REFRIGERAT ING APPARATUS A rra/@NHV Patented Oct. 4, 1932 UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE DONALD E. RUTISHAUSEB, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO HUSSMANN-LIGONIER COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION F DELAWARE REFRIGRATING APQPARATUS 'Application med August e, 1931, serial No. 555,495.

This invention relates generally to refrigerating apparatus, and more specifically to an improved system for refrigerating a cooling case with the aid of brine,y sprays, the predominant object of the invention being to produce `a unique brine-spraying system which is of unitary form so as to be capable of introduction into and removal from cooling case as a unit. V y

Prior to this invention brine-spraying systems have been produced which constituted built-in portions of cooling cases. These systems functioned with a high degree of eiiiciency, but a decided disadvantage was present in connection therewith due to the fact that it was not possible to introduce the systems into cases already in use, or unused cases of ordinary construction. In other words, these previously known brine-spraying systems could be associated only with cooling cases designed especially to receive them, wherein said systems were non-unitary and non-portable as a unit with respect to the cooling case, and constituted permanent built-in portions of the cases.

In view ofthe foregoing, I have devised the improved brine-spraying system disclosed herein which, briefly stated, comprises a unitary 'structure Which may be introduced in-to any cooling case of suitable design. Because of this arrangement my improved brine-spraying system may be introduced into a cooling case which has already been in use, or said system may be associated with an unused cooling case of ordinary constructionwhich was not especially designed to receive a brine-spraying system.

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a cooling case equipped with my improved brine-spraying system. y

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the cooling case and brine-spraying system illustrated in Fig. 1. j n

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of the coolin case illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

In te drawings, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designates a cooling case constructed with the usual insulated bottom B, front and rear walls C and D, op-

posite end walls E and F, and top'wall G.

The cooling case illustrated comprises a. re-

frigerated display and storage case, said case including a storage compartment Y and a display compartment Z which are separated by a display shelf H, which preferably is 4 constructed of woven metallic elements. Also, the storage compartment Y is provided with a shelf J which likewise is constructed in the manner of the shelf H, said shelf J and the shelf H being suitably supported within the case A. The rear wall D of the case is provided with a door opening K leading to the storage compartment Y and a door opening L leading to they display compartment Z, said door openings being closed by doors M and N, respective Also, the front wall C is provided with an u per inclined portion having'spaced layers of glass or other transparent material whereby the interior of the display compartment may be viewed from without the cooling case.

Disposed within the cooling case A and` supported bythe bottom B thereof isa pair of substantially L-shaped housings 1, coinprising each a substantially horizontal housing portion 2 which rests on the bottom B of the case A and a substantially vertical housing portion 3 which is disposed adjacent to the front wall C of said case- A, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3. The housings 1 are extended longitudinally of the case A, as

lshown in Figs. 1 and 2, there being a space between the adjacent inner ends thereof, as shown at 4, and the outer end walls of the housings bein glocated inwardly from the'opposite end walls of the cooling case, as shown.

clearly in Figs. l and 2. Each of the hous:

ings l is provided with a vertically disposed air passageway 5 which communicates with the interior of the housing as shown in Fig. 3, upstanding front and end walls 6 being associated with the lower portion of the front wall of the vertical housing portion 3 in a manner to provide said passageway'. The extreme lower end of .the front wall of the'houfsing portion 3 is bent at an angle, as shown at in Fig. 3, to provide for the free passa e of air through the passageway 5. The ront wall of the housing portion 3 is provided with air inlet openings 8 adjacent to its upper' end l having air-deieeting portions 9 associated therewith. Also, the top wall of the housing portion 3 is open to the admission of air, said top wall preferably being formed of wire mesh 10 or other suitable material. y

lVithin the casing A of my improved cooling case at the opposite ends thereof I provide a pair of housings 11 and 12. Each of the housings 11 and 12 is of substantially inverted L-shaped formation, .as shown most clearly in Fig..1, there being a vertical housing portion 13 arranged in proximity to the adjacent 'end wall of the casing A and a horizontal housing portion 14 disposed immediately beneat-h the top wall of the casing A. The

housings 11 and 12 are shaped .to fit into the inlets,

opposite end portions of the easing A, as shown in Fig. 3, and the outer ends of the horizontal housing portions are open and communicate with the interior of said easing. Formed in the outer walls of the vertical portions 13 of the housings 1l and 12 are groups of air discharge openings 15 with which air deflecting portions 16 are associated, and

formed in the lower walls of the horizontal housing portions 14 of said housings 11 and 12 are similar openings 17 which serve as air said openings 17 being provided with associated deflecting portions 18. Secured to the outer walls of the vertical housing portions 13 of the housings 11 and 12 at the inner faces thereof are vertically disposed, hollow structures 19. In cross-section the struetures 19 are substantially .rectangular in shape, as shown in Fig. 2, and areopen at the bottom, the walls of said structures cooperating with vthe outer walls of the housings 11 and 12 so as to provide-vertical passageways 2O which communicate at their upper ends with the openings 15 and at their lower ends with the interior of said housings 1-1 and 12. The lower ends of the structures are located a substantial distance above the bottom walls of the housings 1l and 12, as shown in Fig. 1. A

Extended upwardly through the bottom B of the casing A is a pipe 21 which-passes upwardly through the space 4 between the hous- Us 1. At its upper end the pipe 21 is conl nected to a suitable fitting 22, which has connected to it pipes 23 and 24 which are extended longitudinally in opposite directions through the upper portions of the housing portions 3 of the housings 1. At their opposite outer ends the pipes 23 and 24 pass through the end walls of the housing portions 3 and extend through the outer walls of the vertical housing portions 13 of the housings 11 and 12 and into said housing portions, where said pipes have connected thereto elbow fittings 25 to which upwardly extended pipes 26 are connected. At the .upper ends of the pipes 26 I'provide elbow fittings 27 which'connect said pipes 26 to pipes 28, which are disposed substantially horizontally in the upper portion of the vertical housing portions 13 of the housings 11 and 12, and are closed at the ends thereof opposite to the ends at which the elbow fittings 27 are located. Associated with. the pipes 23 and 24 are groups of spaced spraying devices 29, said spraying devices being preferably located at the lower portion of said pipes and, of course, being arranged in communication with the interior of said pipes. Also, the horizontally disposed pipes 28 in the upper portions of the housing portions 13 of the housings 11 and 12 are provided with like spraying devices 30.

Arranged in the bottom of the casing A immediately beneath vthe space 4 between the housings 1 is a sump 31 from which a return pipe 32 leads. The housings 1 are provided with overflow pipes 33 which are shaped so f which will permit passage of liquid from the K housings 11 and 12 to the housings 1, but will prevent passage of air through said conductors. The point of communication between the conductors 34 and the housings 11 and 12 are elevated above the bottom walls of said housings so as to maintain bodies of liquid 13 wit-hin the lower portion of said housings at all times, the surfaces of said bodies of liquid being spaced below the lower ends of the walls of the structures 19, as shown in Fig. 1.

`he return pipe 32 and the pipe 21 are connected in communication with a refrigerating unit of suitable construction and arrangement (not shown), and brine, which is chilled by-said refrigerating unit to the proper low is forced through the pipe21 temperature,

the pipes 23, 24, 26, and 28. This and through chilled brine is forcibly discharged down- Wardly vfrom the spraying devices 29 and 30 through the vertically disposed housing portions of the housings 1 and 11-12. The forcible discharge of the brine from the spraying devices will cause air within the display compartment to be sucked into the open ends of the housing portions 14 of the housings 11 and 12, and into the inlet openings 17 of said housing portions 14, as indicated by arrows in Fig. 1, and this air will be drawn is discharged in a greatly cooled condition Tw. avv

Ill

into the interior-of the casing A through the passing into the housings 1. In like manner,

air within the storage compartment ofthe case is drawn into the vertical portions 3 of the housings 1 through the top walls thereof and through the inlet openings 8 by the forcible downward movement of the brine discharged from the spraying devices 29. This air is 'chilled by cont-act with the cold brine and is discharged into the storage compartment ,through the passageways 5.

It is obvious, therefore, that a'eonstant circulation of cold air is maintained in the display and storage compartments of the casing A, whereby the interior of the casing will be maintained at the desired low temperature. Also, because the return pipe and the pipe 21 are connected in communication with a refrfgerating unit (not shown), the brine is circulated through said refrigerating unit to maintain said-brine at-the proper reduced temperature.

If desired, the refrigerating unitfor chil-1- ing the brine may bemaintained at a remote point from the refrigerating case, or, if preferred, the case may be so proportioned .and arranged that the refrigerating unit may be Ilocated within the case.

for spraying chilled brine into said housings whereby the air circulated therethrough is refrigerated.

2. In combination with a casing of a refrigerating apparatus, a brine-spraying system arranged Within said'casing. said brinespraying system comprising an independent unit with relation to said casing and including` housings at opposite ends of the casing and a housing in the lower portion of said casing through which air is circulated, means for.

placing said housings in communication with each other, a brine-conducting system comprising connected conductors extended into all of said housings, and spraying devices associated with said brine-conducting system and located within said housings for spraying chilled brine into the housings whereby the air circulated therethrough is refrigerated. ,v

3. In combination with a casing of a re frigerating apparatus, a brine-spraying system arranged Within said casing, said brinespraying system comprising an independent unit with relation to said casing and including housingsl at opposite ends of the casing 4and a housing. in the lower portion of said casing through which air is circulated7 means for placing said housings in communication with each other, a brine-conducting system comprising connected conductors .extended into all of said housings,- and spraying devices associated with said brine-conducting system and located within said housings forl spraying chilled brine into the housings whereby the -air circulated therethrough is refrigerated, said housing in the lower portion of the casing being substantially L- shaped in cross-section and being arranged with a substantially horizontal portion thereof arranged adjacent to the bottom of the casing and a substantially vertical portion thereof arranged adjacent to a wall of the casing which extends upwardly from the bottom thereof.

4. In combination with a casing of al refrigerating apparatus, a brine-spraying system arranged within said casing, said brinespraying'system comprising an independent unit with relation to said casing and includ-l ing housings at opposite ends of the casing and a housing in the lower portion of said easing through which air is circulated, means for placing said housings in communication with each other, a brine-conducting system compri-sing connected conductors ex- 'tended into all of -said housings, and spraying devices associated With said brine-conducting system and located within said housings for spraying chilled brine into the housings Whereby the air circulated therethrough is refrigerated, said housing in the lower portion of the casing being substantially 'L- shaped in cross-section and being arranged with a. substantially horizontal portion thereof arranged adjacent to the bottom of the casingand a substantially vertical portion thereof arranged adjacentto a wall of the casing which extends upwardly from the bottom thereof, said vertically arranged por- .tion of the last-mentioned housing having an air inlet opening adjacent to its upper end and an air discharge opening adjacent to its lower end.

y5. In combination with a casing of a rcfrigerating apparatus, a brine-spraying system arranged within said casing, said brinespraying system comprising an independent unit with relation to said casing and including housings at opposite ends of the casing and a housing in the lower portion of saidv casing' through whichair is circulated, means for placing said housings in` communication with each other, a brine-conducting system comprising connected conductors extended into' all of said housings, and spraying devices associated with said brine-conducting system and 'loca-ted within said housings for spraying chilled brine into'the housings whereby the air circulated therethrough is 1`e'l"rigerated, said housings at the opposite ends of the casing being each of substantially inverted L-shape in cross-section and being arranged with a. substantially. vertical por- 'tion adjacent to an end wall of the casing with each other, abrirle-conducting system comprising connected conductors extended into all ot said housings, and spraying devices associated withsaid brine-conducting system and located within said housings for spraying chilled brine `into the housings whereby the air circulated therethrough is refrigerated, said housings at the opposite ends of the casing being each of substantially inverted L-shape in cross-section'an'd being arranged with a substantially Vertical portion adjacent to an end wall of the casing and a substantially horizontal portion adjacent to the top wall of said casing, and said horizontally and vertic=lly arranged portions of said housings being provided respectively with air inlet and discharge openings.

7. In combination with a easing of a refrigcrating apparatus, a brine-spraying system arranged within said casing, said brine-A spraying system comprising an independent unit with relation to said lcasing and including housings atopposite ends of the casing and a. housing in the lower portion of said casing through which air is circulated, means for placing said housings in communication with cach other, a brine-conducting system comprising connected conductors extended into all of said housings, and spraying devices associated with said brine-conducting system and located within said housings for spraying chilled brine into the housings whereby the air circulated 'therethrough is refrigerated, said housings at the opposite ends of the easing being each of substantially inverted L-shape in cross-sectionand being arranged with a substantially vertical portion adjacent to an end wall of the easing and a substantially horizontal portion adjacent to the top wall of said casing, and said horizontally and vertically arranged portions of said housings being provided respectively with air inlet and discharge openings, and an element located within said housing in a manner to provide a passageway for air passing therethrough.

i 8. In combination with a casing of a refrigerating apparatus, a brine-spraying system arranged within said casing, said brinespraying system comprising an independent unit with relation to said casing and including housings at opposite ends of the casing and a housing in the lower portion of said casing through which air is circulated, brinespraying devices for spraying chilled brine into said housings whereby the air circulated therethrough is refrigerated, and conductors placing said housings in communication with each other, said conductors being in the form of traps which permit passage of liquid but prevent passage of air from'one housing to another. l

9. In combination with a casing of arefrigerating apparatus, a brine-spraying system arranged within said casing, said brinesprayingsystem comp-rising an independent unit with relation to said casing and including housings at opposite ends of the casing and a housing in the lower portion of said casing through which air is circulated, brinespraying devices for spraying chilled brine into said housings whereby the air circulated therethrough is refrigerated, conductors placing said housings in communication with each other, said conductors being in the form of traps which permit passage of liquid but prevent passage of air from one housing to another, said housings in the lower portion of the housing being in a pair of sections, and overiow pipes leading from said sections to a common conductor.

10. In combination with a casing of a refrigerating apparatus, a brine-spraying system arranged within said casing, said brinespraying system comprising an independent unit with relation to said casing and including housings at opposite ends of the casing and a housing in the lower portion of said casing through which air is circulated, brinespraying devices for spraying chilled brine into said housings whereby the air circulated therethrough is refrigerated, conductors placing said housings in communication with each other, said conductors being in the form of traps which permit passage of liquid but prevent passage of air from one housing to another, said housing in the lower portion ofthe housing being in a pair ot sections, and overow pipes leading from said sections' to a common sump associated with a return con- DONALD E. RUTISHAUSER. 

